Record Rainfall Triggers Deadly Landslides in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty
Published 22 January 2026
Highlights
- A landslide at Mount Maunganui has left several people, including a child, missing after record rainfall in the Bay of Plenty.
- Emergency services are conducting rescue operations, with helicopters deployed to assist those trapped by flooding.
- Two fatalities have been confirmed in a separate landslide at Welcome Bay, with one person seriously injured.
- The city of Tauranga experienced its wettest day on record, with 295mm of rain falling in just 30 hours.
- Hundreds are cut off due to a landslide blocking a key road, complicating rescue and relief efforts.
-
Rewritten Article
Headline: Record Rainfall Triggers Deadly Landslides in New Zealand's Bay of Plenty
New Zealand's North Island is grappling with the aftermath of devastating landslides and flooding following record-breaking rainfall. The Bay of Plenty region, particularly the tourist hotspot of Mount Maunganui, has been severely impacted, with several people, including a child, reported missing after a landslide struck a local campsite.
Mount Maunganui Landslide
The landslide at Mount Maunganui occurred on Thursday morning, following torrential rain that has battered the region. Emergency management minister Mark Mitchell described the situation as "fluid and sensitive," noting that rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate the missing individuals. Helicopters have been deployed to assist families stranded by flooding, and local states of emergency have been declared in five regions across Northland and the East Cape.
Witnesses recounted the terrifying moments as the landslide hit. Bruce Cortesi, who was near the campsite's hot pools, described seeing trees moving before the hillside gave way. "It happened in seconds," he told the NZ Herald, as he urged others to flee. An Australian tourist, Sonny Worrall, narrowly escaped as a caravan nearly struck him while he was swimming.
Welcome Bay Tragedy
In a separate incident, two people were confirmed dead following a landslide at Welcome Bay in Papamoa. Emergency services continue to search for additional missing persons, with one individual suffering serious injuries. The landslide struck a home early Thursday morning, adding to the region's mounting toll.
Record Rainfall and Isolation
The extreme weather has set new records, with Tauranga experiencing its wettest day since records began in 1910. The city received 295mm of rain in just 30 hours, while nearby Whitianga recorded 247mm. The deluge has resulted in significant flooding, with hundreds of residents cut off after a landslide blocked a key road at Helena Bay.
-
Scenario Analysis
As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on locating the missing and providing aid to those affected by the landslides and flooding. The unprecedented rainfall has raised concerns about the region's infrastructure and its ability to withstand future extreme weather events. Experts warn that climate change may increase the frequency and intensity of such events, necessitating improved emergency response strategies and infrastructure resilience. The government may face pressure to invest in long-term solutions to mitigate the impact of severe weather on vulnerable communities.
New Zealand's North Island is grappling with the aftermath of devastating landslides and flooding following record-breaking rainfall. The Bay of Plenty region, particularly the tourist hotspot of Mount Maunganui, has been severely impacted, with several people, including a child, reported missing after a landslide struck a local campsite.
Mount Maunganui Landslide
The landslide at Mount Maunganui occurred on Thursday morning, following torrential rain that has battered the region. Emergency management minister Mark Mitchell described the situation as "fluid and sensitive," noting that rescue teams are working tirelessly to locate the missing individuals. Helicopters have been deployed to assist families stranded by flooding, and local states of emergency have been declared in five regions across Northland and the East Cape.
Witnesses recounted the terrifying moments as the landslide hit. Bruce Cortesi, who was near the campsite's hot pools, described seeing trees moving before the hillside gave way. "It happened in seconds," he told the NZ Herald, as he urged others to flee. An Australian tourist, Sonny Worrall, narrowly escaped as a caravan nearly struck him while he was swimming.
Welcome Bay Tragedy
In a separate incident, two people were confirmed dead following a landslide at Welcome Bay in Papamoa. Emergency services continue to search for additional missing persons, with one individual suffering serious injuries. The landslide struck a home early Thursday morning, adding to the region's mounting toll.
Record Rainfall and Isolation
The extreme weather has set new records, with Tauranga experiencing its wettest day since records began in 1910. The city received 295mm of rain in just 30 hours, while nearby Whitianga recorded 247mm. The deluge has resulted in significant flooding, with hundreds of residents cut off after a landslide blocked a key road at Helena Bay.
What this might mean
As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on locating the missing and providing aid to those affected by the landslides and flooding. The unprecedented rainfall has raised concerns about the region's infrastructure and its ability to withstand future extreme weather events. Experts warn that climate change may increase the frequency and intensity of such events, necessitating improved emergency response strategies and infrastructure resilience. The government may face pressure to invest in long-term solutions to mitigate the impact of severe weather on vulnerable communities.
